Vertical paint roller tray



NOV 14, 1967 H, A. ENG'H VERTICAL PAINT ROLLER TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March ll, 1965 |NvENToR A. ENGH 'ATTORNEYS HOWARD NOV. 14, H` A. ENGH VERTICAL' PAINT ROLLER TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March ll, 1965 |NVENTOR HOWARD ENGH BY j@ fd@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,351,970 VERTICAL PAINT ROLLER TRAY Howard A. Engh, 3017 Sunset Lane, Franklin Park, Ill. 60131 Filed Mar. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 438,966 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-Z57.06)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A paint receptacle which may be utilized in various positions, particularly -a vertical position with a rollertype applicator, having walls forming a receptacle to receive paint, which is open at its upper end and is provided with a sidewall which extends beyond the open end, a drainboard inclined with respect to and extending across such extended sidewall in spaced relation thereto and provided with openings therein for the passage of paint therethrough when such an applicator is rolled thereacross to remove excess paint therefrom, the drainboard preferably being planar, and retained in operative position by suitable means.

The invention relates generally to a paint receptacle and more particularly to a receptacle for roller type applicators.

The invention has among its objects the production of a paint receptacle which is substantially universal in usage, permitting the operator to carry the device on his person by means of a shoulder lstrap or other suitable means, or to support the device from a suitable object, as for example, the rungs of a ladder, as Well as hang the same from a hook, or rest the device upon a floor or other supporting object, either in a vertical position or in a horizont-al position comparable to the average paint tray for roller applicators.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a paint receptacle, having the above advantages, which may be readily taken apart and cleaned, and which is provided with a drain member or board of novel construction, which is very etlicient in use.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein set forth.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the present invention, with portions thereof broken away lto disclose details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, with the receptacle disposed in a vertically extending position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating how the device may be disposed -for usage in a generally horizontal position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 taken from the rear thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the novel drain board utilized in the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating how the device may be supported by means of a shoulder strap;

FIG. 7 illustrates how the device may be carried by means of a handle or bail;

FIG. 8 il-lustrates how the device may be suppor-ted on a ladder; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate how the device may be supported on a horizontal surface.

The present invention contemplates the production of a paint receptacle for use with roller type applicators ice which may be readily used when in a vertical position as distinguished from the usual horizontal positions normally occupied by previous tray type devices. The construction, however, is such that it can also be utilized in a horizontal position and this may serve the function of the usual roller tray as well as enable a vertical usage.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly ,to FIGS. 1 throu-gh 5, the embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a receptacle indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, having oppositely disposed side wa-lls 2, a pair of connecting lwalls 3 and 4, a bottom wall 5 and a top wall 6. The connecting wall 3, which may be termed the rear wall, is of considerably greater hei-ght than the yfront Wall 4, while the side walls 2 are provided with a generally rectangular shaped lower portion corresponding in height to the front wal-l 4, and have generally triangular shaped upper portions 2a which extend to the top wall 6, thereby forming a paint container or chamber at the bottom of the device which is of generally rectangular shape.

Disposed in the receptacle 1 is a drain 'board indicated generally by the numeral 7 which has a generally planar front wall I8 and triangularly shaped side walls 9, whereby the drain lboard may -be positioned in the receptacle 1, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the wall 8 inclined at an angle to the rear wall 3 of the receptacle. The drain board may be detachably secured 'within the container by suitable means such as a latch member 11 which is illustrated by being pivotally connected with the rear wall 3, as 4for example, by means of a rivet or the like, whereby the latch member may be pivoted to permit disengagement of the drain board, or rotated into the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to prevent detachment of the drain Iboard from the rear Wall.

The wall 8 of the drain board is provided with a plurality of openings 12a and 12b, arranged in respective rows, the openings -bein-g Ifor-med by stamping or otherwise deforming the middle of the drain board out of the plane thereof with the deformed portions of one row extending in the opposite direction to the corresponding portions of the adjacent row, as will be clear-ly apparent from a reference to FIG. 2. n

To facilitate the support of the device, one or more supporting elements may be provided, the particular embodiment illustrated disclosing the use of a bail or handle, a shoulder strap, retaining members for use on ladders or the like, and means for supporting the device in a more or lless horizontal position for use in a manner similar to that employed in connection with the usual type roller tray.

Referring to FIGS. l, 2 and 4, a handle or bail member 13 of generally rectangular configuration, formed from heavy Wire stock or the like, is provided at its lower ends, as viewed in such figures, with inwardly directed terminal portions 14 adapted to be disposed in recesses 15 opening on the outer faces of the side walls 2, forming sockets for the portions 14. The sockets 15y are preferably so formed by suitable deformation of the side wall material, that such sockets open only on the outer face of the side walls and thus will not permit paint to pass therethrough.

Suitably carried by the device adjacent the upper portion thereof are a pair of hook-shaped members, indicated generally by the member 16, illustrated in the particular embodiment, as having a generally E-shaped cross section, the legs thereof extending downward as clearly apparent from a reference to FIG. 2, one leg being suitably mounted, as for example, by soldering or spot welding to the rear wall 3. The member 16 also may form attaching means for a strap 17, which in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has its ends connected with suitable ring members 18, through which extends the adjacent portion of the hook member 16, the belt preferably being suitably formed so that it may be adjusted as to its length. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the member 16 may be provided with slots 19 therein through which the strap ends may extend, in lieu of the rings 18.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 6 through l0, it will be apparent that the device may be manually supported from the shoulder by means of the strap 17, as illustrated in FIG. 6; may be carried by means of the handle or bail 13 as illustrated in FIG, 7; or may be supported by the bail from a stationary object. Likewise, the hook member 16 may be utilized to support the device from the rung of the ladder or the like as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The device is also self-supporting, either in a vertical position as illustrated in FIG. 9, or in a more or less horizontal position as illustrated in FIG. 10. Where supported on its bottom 5, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the bail 13 preferably is of greater length than the vertical distance from the supporting surface to its pivotal connection with the side walls 2, whereby the bail may extend at an angle and thus provide means for bracing the device, if desired, with the additional support of the users foot placed upon the transversely extending portion of the bail. The proportions of the hook members 16 are such that when the device is set in a horizontal position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, the members 16 form legs operative to support the device with the drain board 8 in a more or less horizontal position and enabling the device to be utilized in a manner similar to that employed with the usual type roller tray.

When utilized in the vertical position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the receptacle formed at the botto-m -of the device by front wall 4 and adjacent positions of the remaining walls, is of a size to contain an adequate quantity of paint without danger of spillage or the like, and enables the rollers to be dipped into the paint supply by which the roller is moved back and forth several times across the drain board, which movement will result inthe removal of the excess paint on the roller. The painter thus may readily carry the device in any of the manners illustrated, enabling the use of a roller applicator while on a step ladder or in other locations where it is inconvenient or impossible to use a horizontal type tray.

Upon completion of the painting operation the tray may be readily cleaned, the drain board 8 being easily removed to permit effective cleaning of the latter as well as the container.

It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a simple structure which is adapted to be utilized in a vertical position and enabling the device to be utilized while carried in a vertical position.

Changes may be made with the scope and spirit of the appended claims which dene what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A paint receptacle for use in a vertical position with a roller-type applicator, comprising a paint container having oppositely disposed side walls, a pair of connecting end walls and a bottom wall, with such container having an open top end of a size to receive the roller of such an applicator, one of said side walls being extended beyond said open end, the extended portion of said side wall being provided with a raised peripheral edge operative to form a paint retaining wall whereby said extending side wall and said peripheral wall associated therewith may cooperate with said end and bottom walls to function as a paint tray, and a drain board inclined with respect to and extending across said extended side wall in spaced relation with respect thereto, with said drainboard being spaced a greater distance from said extended sidewall within the paint container than adjacent the outer end of such sidewall and of a size to receive the roller of such an applicator whereby the latter may be rolled across said board to remove excess paint from the roller, said board being substantially planar and having openings therein for the passage of paint therethrough, said drainboard being provided with triangularly-shaped walls along its longitudinal edges.

2. A paint receptacle for use in a vertical position with a roller-type applicator, comprising a paint container having oppositely disposed side walls, a pair of connecting end walls and a bottom wall, with such container |having an open top end of a size to receive the roller of such an applicator, one of said side walls being extended beyond said open end, the extended portion of said side wall being provided with a raised peripheral edge operative to form a paint retaining wall whereby said extending side wall and said peripheral wall associated therewith may cooperate with said end and bottom walls to function as a paint tray, a drainboard inclined with respect to and extending across said extended side wall in spaced relation with respect thereto, said drainboard being spaced a greater distance from said extended side wall within the paint container than adjacent the outer end of such side wall and of a size to receive the roller of such an applicator whereby the latter may be rolled across said board to remove excess paint from the roller, said board having openings therein for the passage of paint therethrough, and means carried by said device, cooperable with said drainboard for retaining the latter in operative position.

3. A paint receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein said retaining means is movable relative to said drain board for releasing the latter to permit removal thereof from the device.

4. A paint receptacle for use in a vertical position with a roller type applicator, comprising a paint container having oppositely disposed side walls, a pair of connecting end walls, and a bottom wall, with such container having an open top end of a size to receive the roller of such an applicator, said container being rectangularly shaped and capable of standing on its bottom end so as to be self-supporting, one of said side walls being extended beyond said open end, saidextending portions of such side wall being provided with a peripheral wall, formed along the side edges of said extending wall by portions of said end walls, such portions tapering toward the free end of said extending wall, means disposed adjacent the free end of said extending wall for supporting the device with said extending wall functioning as a tray bottom, a substantially planar drain board having triangularly shaped walls along its longitudinal edges, and disposed in inclined relation with respect to said extended side wall, with the lower end of said drain board disposed in said container, and spaced a greater distance from said extending side wall than the upper end thereof, said drain board having openings therein for the passage of paint therethrough, formed by portions thereof disposed in outwardly spaced relation from the outer face of the drain board with certain of said openings facing the inner end of the drain board, and other of said openings facing the outer end thereof, for removing excess paint from such a roller as the latter is rolled across the drain board.

5. A paint receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein said supporting means is hook-shaped whereby the device may be supported from a rigid member, such as a ladder rung, with such side wall extending substantially vertical, and a shoulder strap having its respective free ends attachable to said supporting means whereby the device may hang by said strap with such side wall extending substantially vertical.

6. A paint receptacle -as defined in claim 4, comprising a bail pivotally connected to the device on an axis extending parallel to said extended side Wall, by means of which the device may be supported with said extended side wall disposed substantially vertical, said bail being of a length to rest upon a supporting surface when the device is supported thereon by its bottom end, whereby said bail may function as a brace member therefor.

7. A paint receptacle as defined in claim 4, comprising means carried by said extended side W-all cooperable with said drain board for retaining the same in operative position, said retaining means being mounted for movement into a board-releasing position to permit removal of the board from the container.

6 l References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS L. G. vMACHLIN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PAINT RECEPTACLE FOR USE IN A VERTICAL POSITION WITH A ROLLER-TYPE APPLICATOR, COMPRISING A PAINT CONTAINER HAVING OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SIDE WALLS, A PAIR OF CONNECTING END WALLS AND A BOTTOM WALL, WITH SUCH CONTAINER HAVING AN OPEN TOP END OF A SIZE TO RECEIVE THE ROLLER OF SUCH AN APPLICATOR, ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS BEING EXTENDED BEYOND SAID OPEN END, THE EXTENDED PORTION OF SAID SIDE WALL BEING PROVIDED WITH A RAISED PERIPHERAL EDGE OPERATIVE TO FORM A PAINT RETAINING WALL WHEREBY SAID EXTENDING SIDE WALL AND SAID PERIPHERAL WALL ASSOCIATED THEREWITH MAY COOPERATE WITH SAID END AND BOTTOM WALLS TO FUNCTION AS A PAINT TRAY, AND A DRAIN BOARD INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO AND EXTENDING ACROSS SAID EXTENDED SIDE WALL IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, WITH SAID DRAINBOARD BEING SPACED A GREATER DISTANCE FROM SAID EXTENDED SIDEWALL WITHIN THE PAINT CONTAINER THAN ADJACENT THE OUTER END OF SUCH SIDEWALL END OF A SIZE TO RECEIVE THE ROLLER OF SUCH AND APPLICATOR WHEREBY RECESS PAINT FROM THE ROLLED ACROSS SAID BOARD TO REMOVE EXCESS PAINT FROM THE ROLLER, SAID BOARD BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR AND HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN FOR THE PASSAGE OF PAINT THERETHROUGH, SAID DRAINBOARD BEING PROVIDED WITH TRIANGULARLY-SHAPED WALLS ALONG ITS LONGITUDINAL EDGES. 